2002 Dodge RAM 1500 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500, and owners have filed 815 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Tires
On certain 4x4 pickup trucks equipped with the snow plow preparation package, the tires supplied on some vehicles may have gross axle weight ratings that slightly exceed the maximum tire load capacity as defined in federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars."
Remedy: Dealers will provide replacement p245/75r16 tires to meet the load carrying capacity specified on the vehicle certification label and accommodate the addition of a commercially available snow plow and hardware. Owner…
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Exterior (visibility)
On certain pickup trucks, the detent system on the exterior mirror housings may lose the functionality.
Remedy: Dealers will install a mirror detent retainer kit to correct this condition. Owner notification began on april 10, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
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Column (steering)
On certain pickup trucks, the electrical connector at the bottom of the steering column contains an under-sized terminal for the HVAC blower motor circuit. Localized heating from current flow with the blower speed set on high may cause the terminal contacts to relax and lose electrical contact. This can cause the HVAC blower motor to…
Remedy: Dealers will install a wiring harness overlay to correct this condition. Owner notification began april 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
815 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 have filed 815 complaints with NHTSA; 55 describe a crash and 14 describe a fire. Reports cite 62 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 78,239 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 94 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I bought this truck new I still own problem is the cooling system does not function properly I have put new radiator and all heat and cooling in it the heat and air does not operate properly I have ta”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 24, 2026 · Engine
“Dodge Ram 2002 ABS brake module failure. No recourse for repairs. Dodge has rendered this part obsolete and although they have the technology to repair or replace it they neglect to help thousands of”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 13, 2024 · Service brakes
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup (Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD, Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 12–16 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 10–14 / 14–19 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Engine | 6/8 cyl, 3.7/4.7/5.9 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Dodge RAM 1500 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge RAM 1500 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 7 |
| 1992 Dodge RAM 1500 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 6 |
| 1994 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 116 |
| 1995 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 213 |
| 1996 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 298 |
| 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 361 |
| 1998 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 520 |
| 1999 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 610 |
| 2000 Dodge RAM 1500 | 2 | 513 |
| 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 | 2 | 1,112 |
| 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 | 3 | 815 |
| 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 | 1 | 1,171 |
| 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 | 5 | 1,099 |
| 2005 Dodge RAM 1500 | 4 | 1,169 |
| 2006 Dodge RAM 1500 | 9 | 792 |
| 2007 Dodge RAM 1500 | 4 | 517 |
| 2008 Dodge RAM 1500 | 5 | 554 |
| 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 | 2 | 670 |
| 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 | 4 | 486 |
| 2011 Dodge RAM 1500 | 4 | 689 |
| 2012 Dodge RAM 1500 | 6 | 697 |
| 2014 Dodge RAM 1500 | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
How do I know if my 2002 Dodge RAM 1500 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2002 Dodge RAM 1500; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V077000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Dodge models
- Durango13,770 complaints
- Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
- Caravan10,526 complaints
- Dakota6,629 complaints
- RAM 25006,443 complaints
- Intrepid6,228 complaints
- Charger5,741 complaints
- Journey5,290 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.